On the Water, Off the Edge

Pecan Valley Centers partners with Heroes on the Water to help veterans heal through kayak fishing

For veterans navigating PTSD, stress, and isolation, healing doesn’t always happen in a clinic—it can begin on the water. That’s the idea behind a Heroes on the Water chapter launched in 2016 to serve rural communities outside Fort Worth. The chapter’s focus—kayak fishing—offers a calming, restorative way to support those navigating mental health challenges.

Ten years later, the Brazos River Valley Chapter is still active, serving veterans, active-duty service members, law enforcement, first responders, and their families in Palo Pinto, Parker, and Hood Counties.

With access to a private lake in Santo, the chapter provides everything participants need, including kayaks, life jackets, paddles, and fishing gear. Essentially, all participants have to do is show up.

Meet-ups are typically once a month, but smaller groups can also be arranged. If someone is going through a stressful time, the chapter tries to get them on the water as soon as possible.

Participation is free, but operating costs persist. That’s where Pecan Valley Centers comes in—the Veteran Services program is sponsoring trailer maintenance and meals for the year and will help raise awareness of the organization through its community connections.

“Everyone heals differently,” said Joshua Morrison, Pecan Valley Centers Director of Veteran and Substance Use Services. “Outdoor activities give local military and veteran families a non-clinical way to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.”

As the Local Mental Health Authority for Hood, Parker, Palo Pinto, Erath, Somervell, and Johnson Counties, Pecan Valley Centers also helps close a critical resource gap for chapter participants who need additional support.

“We provide mental health services for veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents regardless of insurance or ability to pay,” Morrison said. “Veterans can also call our Mental Health Crisis Hotline for support. If someone is in crisis, we can deploy a Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) to help stabilize the situation and connect them to follow-up care.”

For the Brazos River Valley Chapter, the goal is simple: create a welcoming place where heroes and their families can breathe, connect, and feel understood. With support from volunteers and Pecan Valley Centers, the chapter is expanding access to those moments of relief. Veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their loved ones can reach out to the Heroes on the Water local chapter via email or on Facebook to learn about upcoming outings.

Heroes on the Water Contact Information:

Heroes on the Water Brazos River Valley Chapter Facebook page

Heroes on the Water Brazos River Valley Chapter email: brv.tx@heroesonthewater.org 

Mental Health Resources:

Pecan Valley Centers 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Hotline (1-800-772-5987)

National Veteran Crisis Line (988 then press 1)

Explore Mental Health Support: Pecan Valley Centers’ Veteran Services

Pecan Valley Centers is the Local Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority for six Texas counties: Hood, Johnson, Erath, Somervell, Parker and Palo Pinto. The organization is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and provides mental health and IDD community support services to individuals regardless of health insurance status or ability to pay.